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Environment Management PDF
Environment Management PDF
Harmony between man and environment is the essence of healthy life and growth.
Therefore, maintenance of ecological balance and a pristine environment has been
of utmost importance to the Union Ministry of Power (MoP). NTPC being the leading
organization under the ministry in the areas of power generation, has been taking
various measures discussed below for mitigation of environment pollution due to
power generation.
Driven by its commitment for sustainable growth of power, NTPC has evolved a well
defined environment management policy and sound environment practices for
minimising environmental impact arising out of setting up of power plants and
preserving the natural ecology.
While deciding the appropriate technology for its projects, NTPC integrates many
environmental provisions into the plant design. In order to ensure that NTPC comply
with all the stipulated environment norms, various state-of-the-art pollution control
systems / devices as discussed below have been installed to control air and water
pollution.
Flue Gas Stacks: Tall Flue Gas Stacks have been provided for wide dispersion of
the gaseous emissions (SOX, NOX etc) into the atmosphere.
Low-NOX Burners: In gas based NTPC power stations, NOx emissions are
controlled by provision of Low-NOx Burners (dry or wet type) and in coal fired
stations, by adopting best combustion practices.
Coal Settling Pits / Oil Settling Pits: In these Pits, coal dust and oil are removed
from the effluents emanating from the Coal Handling Plant (CHP), coal yard and
Fuel Oil Handling areas before discharge into ETP.
DE & DS Systems: Dust Extraction (DE) and Dust Suppression (DS) systems have
been installed in all coal fired power stations in NTPC to contain and extract the
fugitive dust released in the Coal Handling Plant (CHP).
Cooling Towers: Cooling Towers have been provided for cooling the hot Condenser
cooling water in closed cycle Condenser Cooling Water (CCW) Systems. This helps in
reduction in thermal pollution and conservation of fresh water.
Ash Dykes & Ash Disposal Systems: Ash ponds have been provided at all coal
based stations except Dadri where Dry Ash Disposal System has been provided.
Ash Ponds have been divided into lagoons and provided with garlanding
arrangements for change over of the ash slurry feed points for even filling of the
pond and for effective settlement of the ash particles.
Ash in slurry form is discharged into the lagoons where ash particles get settled
from the slurry and clear effluent water is discharged from the ash pond. The
discharged effluents conform to standards specified by CPCB and the same is
regularly monitored.
At its Dadri Power Station, NTPC has set up a unique system for dry ash collection
and disposal facility with Ash Mound formation. This has been envisaged for the
first time in Asia which has resulted in progressive development of green belt
besides far less requirement of land and less water requirement as compared to the
wet ash disposal system.
The ash water recycling system has already been installed and is in operation at
Ramagundam, Simhadri, Rihand, Talcher Kaniha, Talcher Thermal, Kahalgaon, Korba
and Vindhyachal. The scheme has helped stations to save huge quantity of fresh
water required as make-up water for disposal of ash.
Dry Ash Extraction System (DAES): Dry ash has much higher utilization
potential in ash based products (such as bricks, aerated autoclaved concrete blocks,
concrete, Portland pozzolana cement, etc.). DAES has been installed at Unchahar,
Dadri, Simhadri, Ramagundam, Singrauli, Kahalgaon, Farakka, Talcher Thermal,
Korba, Vindhyachal, Talcher Kaniha and BTPS.
Sewage Treatment Plants & Facilities: Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) sewage
treatment facilities have been provided at all NTPC stations to take care of
Sewage Effluent from Plant and township areas. In a number of NTPC projects
modern type STPs with Clarifloculators, Mechanical Agitators, sludge drying beds,
Gas Collection Chambers etc have been provided to improve the effluent quality.
The effluent quality is monitored regularly and treated effluent conforming to the
prescribed limit is discharged from the station. At several stations, treated
effluents of STPs are being used for horticulture purpose.
NTPC's environment friendly approach to power has already begun to show results
in conservation of natural resources such as water and fuel (coal, oil & gas) as well
as control of environmental pollution. As already mentioned earlier, NTPC has
chalked out a set of well defined activities that are envisaged right from the
project conceptualisation stage so that during the entire life cycle of the power
plant, NTPC is fully compliant with various environment regulations and a pristine
environment and ecological balance is maintained in and around its power station and
townships. Following is brief description of some of the measures taken during the
operation phase of the stations.
On-Line Data Base Management: In order to have better control on pollution and
to achieve effective environment management in and around NTPC stations, it is
imperative to have an on-line, reliable and efficient environment information system
on the plant operational and environmental performance parameters at all three
levels i.e generating Stations, Regional Headquarters and Corporate Centre. In
consideration of the above, a computerized programme, namely "Paryavaran
Monitoring System" - PMS, which could provide reliable storage, prompt and
accurate flow of information on environmental performance of Stations was
developed and installed in NTPC. This software facilitates direct transfer of
environment reports and other environment related information from stations to
the Regional Headquarters and Corporate Centre. The PMS has already been
implemented at Corporate Centre, the Regional Headquarters and most of the
Stations.
Resources Conservation
With better awareness and appreciation towards ecology and environment, the
organization is continually looking for innovative and cost effective solutions to
conserve natural resources and reduce wastes. Some of the measures include:
Reduction in land requirements for main plant and ash disposal areas in
newer units.
Capacity addition in old plants, within existing land.
Reduction in water requirement for main plant and ash disposal areas
through recycle and reuse of water.
Efficient use of Fuel (Coal, Natural gas and Fuel oil) and
Reduction in fuel requirement through more efficient combustion and
adoption of state-of-the-art technologies such as super critical boilers
Waste Management
As a policy, NTPC lays special emphasis on land use and Bio-diversity by way of
development of green belts, energy plantations, reclmation of abandoned Ash Ponds
and EIA and ecological monitoring in the project areas and its surroundings.
Reclamation of Abandoned Ash ponds: The reclamation of abandoned ash pond
sites is a challenging task. NTPC has reclaimed temporary ash disposal areas at
some of its projects namely Ramagundam, Talcher Thermal, Rihand, Singrauli and
Unchahar through plantation and converted these sites into lush green
environments. Extensive plantations have also been undertaken on dry ash mound at
NTPC-Dadri. It is planned to reclaim all the abandoned ash disposal areas by
plantation.
Green Belts, Afforestation & Energy Plantations: Whats more, in a concerted
bid to counter the growing ecological threat, NTPC is undertaking afforestation
programmes covering vast areas of land in and around its projects. Appropriate
afforestation programmes for plant, township and green belt areas of the project
have been implemented at all projects.
In order to enhance green cover in the areas around our projects, as a responsible
corporate citizen, NTPC till date has planted more than 18 million trees at its
projects throughout the country. The afforestation has not only contributed to the
aesthetics but also has been serving as a 'sink' for the pollutants released from
the station and thereby protecting the quality of ecology and environment in and
around the projects. Thrust has also been given to bio-diesel plantation and around
4.8 lakh energy plants including Pongamia and Jatropha have already been planted. A
pilot project for extraction of seeds from these bio-diesel plants has also been set
up.
The EIA involves stage-by-stage evaluation of various parameters which affect the
environment. Based on EIA study, wherever required, specific scientific studies
are also conducted to scientifically assess the likely impact of the pollutants on the
sensitive flora and fauna in the surroundings, as also, to take preventive and
mitigatory measures, wherever required.
Ash is the main solid waste which is put into use for various products and services.
NTPC has adopted user friendly policy guidelines on ash utilisation.
NTPC has gained expertise in operation and management of 200 MW and 500 MW
Units installed at different Stations all over the country and is looking ahead for
higher capacity Unit sizes with super critical steam parameters for higher
efficiencies and for associated environmental gains. At Sipat, higher capacity Units
of size of 660 MW and advanced Steam Generators employing super critical steam
parameters have already been implemented as a green field project.
Higher efficiency Combined Cycle Gas Power Plants are already under operation at
all gas-based power projects in NTPC. Advanced clean coal technologies such as
Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) have higher efficiencies of the
order of 45% as compared to about 38% for conventional plants. NTPC has initiated
a techno-economic study under USDOE / USAID for setting up a commercial scale
demonstration power plant by using IGCC technology. These plants can use low
grade coals and have higher efficiency as compared to conventional plants.
With the massive expansion of power generation, there is also growing awareness
among all concerned to keep the pollution under control and preserve the health and
quality of the natural environment in the vicinity of the power stations. NTPC is
committed to provide affordable and sustainable power in increasingly larger
quantity. NTPC is conscious of its role in the national endeavour of mitigating
energy poverty, heralding economic prosperity and thereby contributing towards
Indias emergence as a major global economy.